Automated system for fueling vehicles

摘要

An automated fueling system in which an operator remains in their vehicle. The fueling system is configured to obtain transaction information from the operator, align the vehicle relative to a fuel pump, and to deliver the fuel to the vehicle. Once the process is complete, the operator can drive their vehicle away from the station.

主权项

1. An automated system to fuel a vehicle such that a user remains within the vehicle during fueling, the system comprising:
a drive system including a support member configured to be positioned under the vehicle and sized to receive at least one tire of the vehicle, the drive system configured to move the support member and the vehicle along a lane; an alignment system configured to be positioned at a stationary point along the lane and configured to align the vehicle at a predetermined position along the lane as the vehicle is being moved by the drive system, the alignment system including a first target mounted to the vehicle at a first distance from a fuel inlet of the vehicle and a first sensor to detect the first target when the vehicle is at the predetermined position; and a fueling system configured to be positioned along the lane and including a hose, a second sensor mounted to the hose, and a second target mounted to the vehicle at a second predetermined distance from the fuel inlet, the second target being spaced apart from the first target, the sensor configured to detect the second target to vertically align the hose with the fuel inlet, the fueling system further configured to extend the hose outward towards the vehicle to insert the hose into the fuel inlet when the second target is detected and the hose is aligned with the fuel inlet; the alignment system configured to horizontally align the hose with the fuel inlet.